Opus has partnered with Always Food Safe to offer ANSI-accredited Food Handlers and Food Manager Certification training for the food service industry. Always Food Safe is a specialist web-based e-learning provider that offers fully video-based online training. They are accepted by State & Local Health Inspectors and their training aligns with Opus' interactive, media-rich and engaging training platform.
Food Handlers Certification
The Food Handlers certification is designed for hourly employees (non-supervisors) and consists of one module and an exam. This certification is encouraged and accepted in all states except for:
Alaska, Riverside & San Bernardino County in CA, Clark County in Nevada, New York City, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, Washington DC, and West Virginia.
The pricing for this certification is one credit per assignment, which includes the module and exam. The module time for completion is approximately 2 hours, and the certification is valid for 3 years. Once the module is completed in Opus, trainees will be instructed on the final page of the module to navigate to the Always Food Safe portal to take the Food Handlers exam. They will need to create an account with Always Food Safe to receive the certificate upon completion. The exam requirements include a minimum passing score of 75%.
Food Manager Certification
The Food Manager certification is designed for supervisors and non-hourly employees and consists of one module and an exam. According to FDA code, having a Certified Food Protection Manager (obtained by completing Food Manager) is a requirement for all restaurants in all states.
Always Food Safe's Food Manager Certification is accepted across all 50 states.
This certificate is valid for 5 years.
Once the module is completed in Opus, trainees will be instructed on the final page of the module to navigate to the Always Food Safe portal to sign up to take the Food Manager exam. The exam must be proctored by an internal proctor through Always Food Safe.
Customers must identify an admin or manager(s) on their team to become an internal proctor. To learn more about how to become an internal proctor through Always Food Safe, click here.
| Food Handlers Certificate | Food Manager Certificate |
Pricing | 1 credit per assignment | 10 credits |
Time to Completion | 2 hours for module completion, ~30 mins for exam | ~4-8 hours for module completion, 2 hour timed exam |
Exam Requirements | Online exam, 75% minimum passing score, 2 free exam attempts | Online exam, must be overseen by internal proctor, 70% minimum passing score, 2 free exam attempts |
How to Take the Food Handlers & Food Manager Exams
Unlike other forms of compliance training in Opus, the examination portion of the Food Handlers and Food Manager modules will be completed in the Always Food Safe Portal.
How it Works
Once the trainee has completed the module, the final screen will contain a unique partner link (provided by AFS) that will redirect them to the AFS portal.
From there, they'll need to create an account in the AFS portal. This account is essential as the certificate of completion will be issued by AFS, not Opus.
For the Food Handlers exam, trainees will be able to begin the exam immediately, without the support of a proctor
For the Food Managers exam, managers will need to coordinate a testing date and time so that the appointed internal proctor can administer and oversee the exam session.
Important to Note: If a trainee fails both exam attempts, they will need to wait 90 days before they can be reassigned the training and exam. This is an ANSI/ANAB regulation.
Tips to remember
Once you complete the training on Opus, click the link found on the final screen of the last course in the module to take you to directly the AFS site. This link is unique to each user and the bridge to setting up your account with AFS.
When creating an account, only use the email address that is associated to your Opus account.
After registering an account on the AFS site, save your log in details if you plan to come back and take the exam at a later date.